North Carolina -- July 23, 2026: A new report published by Axios on July 20, 2026, alleges that U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) North Carolina's 11th Congressional District (NC-11) gave personalized handguns to two young female staffers while they worked in his congressional office. The report is the latest development in an ongoing House Ethics Committee investigation involving the western North Carolina congressman.
According to Axios, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said Edwards gave one former staff member a pink handgun and another a blue handgun engraved with her name. Axios also reported that the attorney for one of the former staffers said she accepted the firearm only because she feared it could affect her employment and later legally disposed of it because she did not want it in her possession.
Edwards acknowledged providing firearms to some staff members but said he had not engaged in the conduct described in the reports. In a statement to Axios, Edwards said he has taught several staff members how to safely handle firearms and, in some cases, provided them with their own firearms. He said the gifts reflected his long-standing support for firearm safety and self-defense and noted that he was previously a federally licensed firearms dealer.
The handgun allegations come several months after the U.S. House Committee on Ethics announced it had opened an investigation into allegations involving Edwards. Axios first reported the existence of the investigation on April 30, 2026, and CNN later reported on the investigation the same day, citing its own sources.
The report is the latest public allegation involving Rep. Chuck Edwards as a House Ethics Committee investigation remains ongoing
Since then, Axios has published several follow-up reports detailing additional allegations from former staff members and individuals familiar with Edwards' congressional office. Those reports include allegations involving personal gifts, handwritten letters and notes, one-on-one outings, and claims of creating a hostile work environment. Edwards has denied wrongdoing and has characterized the allegations as false and politically motivated.
As of this publication, the House Ethics Committee has not announced any findings or conclusions, and no determination of misconduct has been made public. The committee's investigation remains ongoing.
Rep. Edwards' Response
Edwards has denied engaging in inappropriate conduct. Regarding the firearms, he told Axios that he has instructed staff members in firearm safety and, in some cases, provided them with firearms for personal protection. He has stated that the allegations against him are unfounded and that he welcomes the Ethics Committee's review.